Agricultural machine



.June 2, 193,1.

J. s.l STEWART 1,808,690 AGRICULTURAL MACHINE Filed Aug. '26, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEY June 2, 1931. J. s. STEWART 1,808,690

AGRICULTURAL MACHINE l Filed Aug. 26, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 a- INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented June 2, 1931 1 Umea 'STATES PATENT IOFFICE.:

`:JAMES s. STEWART, or REDLANns, CALIFORNIA, AssIGNoR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS,

T0 GEORGE VOSS,k OF -I SAN BEBNARDINO, j CALIFORN'A` AGRICULTURAL MACHINE i Application led August 26, 1927. Serial No. 215,700.

This inventionrelates to improvements in agricultural machines generally, andv more particularly to disc gang harrow types of such machines.

Heretoforein the known'prior practice of conditioning the soil in groves or orchards, the known type of disc harrows have functioned to throw the loosened soil in one direction only, either toward the trees or away from the saine, making it necessary to employ. two different types or makes of harrows when it is desired to throw the dirt or soil iirst in Aone direction and then in the opposite direction as aforesaid; and, again, these harrow constructions have provided for the off-settingof the hitch or draft of the same to one side only, and not to either sides thereof, or to the right and left, as'is also desirable in the use Vof such-devices or machines to facilitate the turning movements thereof,

especially in the cultivation of groves orl orchards. i

, Therefore, it is the fprincipal object of the present invention toprovide a harrow vconstruction which will have tandem disk gangs so connected Aas to permit them to be placed in angular relation about either of two pivots respectively located at opposite ends of the gangs. Y

:A further object ofthe invention is the provisionV of a draft or hitching means for disc harrows Vof the multiple gang type and wherein lapull on the same in -one direction will effect an'angular adjustment of the disc blades to throw the loosenedsoil in one direction, as, for instance, away from the trees being cultivated, or in the opposite direction, or toward thetrees. 1; l

Another object of the inventionis to provide adjustableconnecting devices for coupling two disc gangs together, whereby by lengthening one orthe other of the same, the gangs will be angularlyoffset one with respectto the other. and to either .the right or leftvhand side ofA the ,machine as maybe desired or necessary to vary orreverse the angular disposition of thevdisc blades Vto cause" them to throw the loosened soil in a proper or desired direction. S

. IWith the foregoingand other equally im- Figure 7 1s an end elevation portant advantages and objects'finfvijewuthe i invention resides' in the certain `new and-use-` ful combination, construction and `arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described, setforth in the appended claims, and illustratedinthe' accompanying drawings, in which: l f

Figure l is a top plan viewvofya preferred embodiment of the invention, and showing 4diagrammatically the several positloIlS of adjustment and operation of the parts-thereof, Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentaryvdetail, partly in section, of one ofthe adjustable devices for effecting the angular dispo-l sition of-one of the disc gangs with respect to.

the other,

Figure 1s an enlarged transverse section through one of the side or end bars of a `gang fran'ieand the adjusting rack mounted 'onthe same, and showing the tripr device cooperative with the rack, they latter being in eleva- .,tion, j i

Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of one of the guide and latch supporting boltsper se,`

Figure 5 is a side elevation of the tiltingl trip lever for actuating the latch, devicesor dogs cooperative withv the rack, i

Figure 6 isan end elevationof the said tilting trip lever, v i

of one of the latch devices or dOgS, y Y Figure 8 is a side elevation thereof,

Figure 9 `isa side elevation of one of the adjusting racks, Y l 1 Y Figure l0 is a top plan view of the latter.` Figure 11 isa top plan View ofthe harrow attachment and theJ coupled end portion of the tractor' and showing the disc gangs as they appear in their` normally inoperative positions, and A Y l Figure l2 is a vertical longitudinal section taken on, the line 2-2 of Figure 11.`

Referring toY the drawings, l.wherein simi;- lar characters of reference designatecorrespondingV parts i throughout thek several views thereof, theembodiment ofthe invention'as illustrated comprises two `disc gangs, each comprising a substantially rectangular frame consisting ofV spaced parallel front and "rear bars 10 and 1l-connected togethenat their eef leo

VlO

Y. opposite ends by side or end bars 12 and 12 and intermediate bars 13 and 13 equidistantly spaced one from the other and from-the side or end bars 12 and 13. Extending parallel to the rear bar 11,'of the forwarder leading gang frame, and to the front bar 10, of the rear or trailing gang frame',are intermediate bars 11 and V10 respectively, which are, secured to theseveral cross bars 12, 12 and 13', 13 by means of fastenings similar to those used-for securing the several bars of the gang frames together. These inner bars and 11 are arranged in closely spaced relation to the adjacent ends of the frame bars 10 and 11, and act to brace the frames' against an- -gularY distortion, as will be=well understood.

' YThe disc gang associated with each of the frames are preferably made into two sections i consisting 'of aligned shafts 14 and 14 hav- Vingdisc harrow elements 15 mounted thereon in'equidistantly spaced relation, the? outer of the same being disposed at the opposite eX- trelnities of the shafts,Y substantially as shown. The shaft 14 is suitably'supported from the under sidesv ofthe side or end bar 1 2 and the complementalintermediate bar 13,

and theshaft 14 from theunder s ide of the side or end bar 1 2" and the intermediate bar` 13. Y

`The vtwo gang frames are normally dis-V posed in parallel and slightly oifsetrelation ne'in -advance of the other, substantially as is shown -in full lines in Figure 1,-andr are, 'coupled together for relative angularadj ust- Vment at their adjacent ends.

*These -adjustablezand Vextensible connections or couplings each comprise an elongated plateor .bar 14 having a slot '15 eX- tending longitudinally of the same for a major portion of its length and upstanding sets offfrack teeth 1 6 and 16 formed on its upper face in parallel relation to the 'longiltudin'al sides of the slot 15, and substantially co-eXtensive therewith. Pivot receiving apertures 17 arefformed at one end of-each of y the racl; plates or bars 14 and the ends of the slots 15, `adjacent these apertures 17, are'of a slightly reduced-width, as at 15, for purposes which ywill be hereinafter f-ully eX- plained. 'Y j I In coupling the two gang Vframes together, the pivot'aperture 17 of oneV of-therackplates i or bars v14' wil l be engaged on a pivot pin 18 17 engaged over a pivot pinlS upstandingY 'to the front bar 10 of the rearwardly disposed frame and at a point inwardly froml one endthereof to have the rack plate or bar 14 disposed in overlapping and aligned relation with-respect to the side or end bar 12 of the forward frame, while the'other rack platey or bar 14 will 'have its pivotV aperture l from the rear bar 11of-the forward frame so vsa . as to'fexltend rearwardly therefrom, and normally y"overlie the sideor end' baril of the rearwardly disposed gangV frame.V

Carried by the rearbar 11 of the forward gang frame, and -by the forward bar 10, of the rear gang frame, at the ends thereof op-` posite to the endsin which the pivot pins Y18 and 18 are secured, and cooperative with the each'comprisingfa bolt member `formed to provide a lower end portion 19, a squared enlarged intermediate portion 19", and a still further enlarged and substantially U-shaped lupper end portion 19". The lower reducedl portion 19 is projected downwardly through an aperture formed in the frame bar with which it -is associated, and has its Vfree end screw threaded to receive on the same asecuring nut 20. The rsquaredintermediate` portion 19 is to be engagedv in the slot 150i` the rack plate or bar 14 for the movement of the latter relative thereto correspondingly for the different movements kof adjustments of the gang frames. By making the `interme- .70 rack plates or bars 14, are latching devices, f Y.

diate'portion 19 'of thegU-bolts 19 of rec- Y tangular or square formation,y the bolt is held against turning movements withinV the slotway'15,and the width of the reducedend portion 15 of the latter is just sutlicient to admit of the portion 19 to engage in the same,when the frames are in parallel lor non-working po-l sition. The enlarged upper U-.shaped portion 19 provides shoulders-extending.outwardly Vfrom the'opposite vertical side faces of the intermediate portions 19.,and these shoulders overlie and ride on the upper face of the rack plate or bar 14 toeither side of the slot 15, and inwardly of the sets of rack teeth16 and 16. The oppositevertical portions .of the upper U-shaped portion 19 ofthe 'bolts are provided with vertically elongated slots 21 V(Figure 2), the purpose of which kwill pres'- ently be explained. Y

Disposed at the outer sides ofthe vertical portions of the U-shapedportion 19, of the bolt, are a pair of latch members or dogs 22 which have their lower edges formed to provide several teeth 23 corresp'ondingtol those of the rack platesor bars 16 and16 with which they cooperate. VA Vpivot memberwor 'rod 24- is extended across: the vertical arms of the U-shaped portions v19, of the bolt, and has its opposite ends projected outwardly Lthrough the4V slots 21 `in the 'latter and through corresponding slots formed inthe latch members or dogs 22. The oppositefree between the vertical portionsof the U-shaped portions 19"'of the bolt, is an actuating member orlever 27, which has its lower end portionjthi'ckened and elongated, asfat 27', 1n av medium of an angular draft frame consistingV of a bar 29, which is provided withanangularly bent end portion 29 pivotally connected, as at 29, to one of Vthe forward corners of thefront or leading gang frame, to which pivot29 is also connected one end of a Vsecond'bai` 30. The bar 30 extends lat an acute angle to the bar 29, and bothof these bars have their ends, opposite to the ends of the same whichare engaged with the pivot 29, pivotally connected to the opposite ends of a third bar 31, as at 31 and 31 respectively. By this angular association of the severalvbars 29, 30 and 31, the draft frame formed thereby has the generall form of'` a triangle, substantially as shown.v Projecting forwardly from the front side ofthe ,leading gang frame in line with the cross bar 13Kr is a guide member 32, which is constructed to Vprovidea long horizontal slotfor the passage through the same of the draft barf or lever 29. `Extending rearwardly from a medial point of connection with thedraft bar or lever 29 is a bar or rod 33, which has its rear end secured to the forward part of the yrear or trailing 'gang frame, whereby a pullingor push- ,ing movement on the draftframe 1s transmitted directly through the bar or` rod 33 .to the same. Connected to the pivot pin or bolt 31, at the forward ends of the draft bars 30 and 31, .is a coupling member 34, which, 1n turn, is connected to the usual coupling of a tractor or" the like, substantially as shown. With the harrow coupled to the tractor, the cables 28 lead forwardly to points convenient to the reach of the operator, when seated on the tractor.

In opera-tion, a tractor or other draft means will be connected to the draft frame at the forward end of the harrow by the couling member 34, and when the har-row is ad- )usted for transport the dogs 22 will be engaged with the rack members 15, one at the rear end of the rack member'carried by the rear or trailing gang frame, andthe other at the forward end of the rack member carried by the forward or leading gang frame, the front and rear gang frames are thus secured in close-up parallel relation, with theV discbla'des of both"J disposed'forrevolving movementsin paths parallel to thefforlward direction oftravel of the harrov v`. A `When it is desired to open up ythe gangframes on the pivotal connection betweenthezright hand,

ends of the frames, the cable'28at the left will be manipulatedtorock the lever 27fcontrolling the latch device on .thev fra-me Scoupling at that side thereby lifting'thefdogsl 22, as shown in dotted lines of Figure 2, out of engagement with the rack` member` 14 car- U-bolt 19.v WithV the release of these dogs 22, the tractor will bebaclredtoward thel lead- -ing gang frame, which backingnmovement "is imparted to the draft frame, which-swings lrearwardly-'on the pivot connection V29".

Therearward-movement of the draft fra-ine is transmitted by the bar or. rod 33f`to Vvthe rear or trailing gang frame, whichffis swung in a rearward direction with the' pivot 18'of the rack member at the right handflend of L the same acting as "its fulcrum.,` When lthus fully opened, thev two '-ga'n'g frames wil-l as,- sume the positionsas 4shown in broken vlines in Figure 1.y `The gang frames may now-be locked in this angular opened position 'fby releasingl the left ,hand cable`28 to allow'the springs 26 to reseat the do'gs 22 into engagejustment, the disc blades of each-'gang frame will be reversed with respect to leach other and positioned in said working relation, in which position the disks ycan follow turningfmovement of the tractor and harrow` towards the rlght. Similarly, "loy-y manipulating?v the'feaseat,af ter the gangs'have been returned to parallel position, the `rack member at fthe hand side of the operatorsv seat onzthe tractorr l -ment with the teeth of the coinplemental :rack -memben 'In this angular positionjfgofj adble atthelrighthand side of the operators y tate a left hand turn of the tractor-and harc ing the proper cable to release the dogs-22,

row. Whenit isfdesiredto bring the gang frames into normal parallel relation withre'- spect to each other and'fromjeitherof their 4 angular positions of opening, by manipulat- `which are "engaged witha racl'ratoplenedposition, the forward' movement-of the tractor-.

lwill exert `a pull on. the draft frame, and through the bar orilever 2910f thesa1ne,lto 'thebar orrod 33; During thisfor-ward-pulling action, the front gangframe will remain stationary, while` the .rear gang frame will be swung ona pivot 28, and-into the .desired 'parallel relation;

It is to be noted that the draftbars and V31 are each provided withaseriesfof spaced apertures .which admit of thel adjustmentY lof the same, whereby they may beshortened t.or

sico

V' vler'igthened so as tovarythe offsetting of the gang frame throughout a. comparatively Wide range, while the position of coupling ,of the tractor will be offset either to the right' Orleft as; maybe desired or necessary. i l.

By reversingthe connectionof the draft frame from the front side of the leading gang frame to the opposite end'of the barrow, or to the krear sideof the trailing gang framel for theY operation of the barrow in the opposite direction, the direction of the throwof .the loosened soil from the disc blades will be .correspondingly reversed,

Y Without further description, it is thought 15 that the features and advantagesof the invention willbe readily apparent to'those skilled in the art, and Yit will of course b e understood that Ghanges in the-form, pro-V portion and ininor details of construction may be. resorted to, without departing vfrom the spirit ofthe invention o r itsscope as claimed. r v

Having thus fully described the invention, .what is Claimed'is: Y

l. In a, machine of the class described, a leading gang frame, a trailing gang frame, extensible coupling means extending between both ends of saidgangframes, and means forefecting longitudinal adjustment of said coupling means one Y independently of the other, to dispose'said gang frames at various relative angular positions. V

l2.* In a mach'neo f the class described.,Y a leading 'Y gang frame, av trailing gangy frame,

eXtenm'ble coupling means between said gang frames and adjustable to dispose, the ygang frames to different relative positions, means for Securing Said coupling means in adjusted positions, 'means for releasing Vsaid securing means to allow' .for subsequent` adjustments of saidcoupling means, a draft member pivoted at the forward lSide of saidjleadinggang fra-me, and a connection extending between said draft member and wSaid trailing gang Y said draft member will separate` .Saidgang so Y frame, whereby a rearward:movelrlent-v of frames to angular positions one with respect .to the `other uponthe release 0f Said coupling VSecuring means. a

- 3, In amachine" ofthe class described, a

f lextensible coupling'devices carried v at-the oppositeadjacent endsof said gangfram'es land adjustable vt0 disposey the gang frames 'to different relative positions, means for seeuringlsald coupling devices 1n1 adjusted pos1t1,.ons,.\ means for releaslngithe SClll-v ing means ofsaid ,couplingdevces one `independently ofthe other to 'allo-w for subsequent adjustments ofthe latter, adraft member 'p-ivot'ed to the forwardv side of :"said leadinglgangy frame, rand. a .connection extending between Asaid ldraft member and f saidtrailing gang frame, whereby a rear- 'wardmovment .of said draft, member will lpling devices.

leading gang frame, a trailing gang'frame, v n

separate said gang frames to angular positions one with respect to the other and correspondingly:withtherelease of the securing means of eitherof saidv coupling devices.

4. In-a machine of the class described, afi

gang frame,

leading gang frame," a' trailing extensibleV coupling devices carried Aat the opposite adjacent ends of saidvgan'g frames and adjustable t0 dispose the gang frames'todifferent 'relative positions, meansfor securf ing said coupling devices `in adjustedl positions, means for releasing thesecuring means of said'couphng devices oneindependently -of the other to allow for subsequent adjustments of the latter, an adjustable draft inember pivoted towardone end of Vand to the forward side ofsaid leadingygangframe,V

draft member and said training gang frame,

whereby arearward movement-of said draft member will separate said gangframes-:to angular positions' one with respect: to. the other vand correspondingly with the release of the securing means of either of said coutuated means for varying` the length of either couplingv upon msm. ,Y

7; In a machine Vof the class'described,

vfrontand rear draft frames,=couplings between both endso-fthe framesand having hinged connection therewith each comprisand a connection extending between said` ien vtrolling the extension thereof, anddraft acreleaseofthe latch mechai ing a drawbar pivoted to one frame and slidably connected tothe other, and latch mecha- -nisms controlling the slid'ab-le connectionof each drawbar toa frame. v ,l f

` JAMES S.' STEWART. 

